Mining machine



July 11,

C. F. OSGOOD MINING MACHINE Filed May 13, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 1l, 1944.Y c, F, OSGOOD 2,353;414

MINING MACHINE Filed May 13, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 11, 1944 MINING MACHINE Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 13, 1942, Serial No. 442,789

12 Claims.

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly, but not exclusively, to improvements in the swinging mechanism for the cutter bar of a coal mining machine.

In coal mining machines and particularly in coal cutting machines of the pivoted cutter bar type, the cutter bar is ofttimes swung about its pivot `during the cutting operation to eiect a swinging cut in the coal. In nexibly fed, longwall, iloor type coal mining machines the pivoted cutter bar is usually swung about its pivot by attachingA the cable of the machine feeding mechanism to the bar, a time consuming operation. In coal mining machines of the mounted universal type the cutter` bar is usually swung about its'pivot either by mechanical or iiuid operated means. The mechanical swinging means usually assumes the form of a screw and nut device or intermeshing gear mechanism, while the iiuid operated means usually embodies elongated cylinders containing rectilinearly reciprocable pistons Ithas been found .that swinging means of themechanical type lacks the extreme nexibility which is attained by the fluid operated means, while the latter` due to its particular arrangement of cylinders and pistons is relatively bulkyand space consuming.

`An object of thepresent invention is to provide a novel swinging means for the cutter bar of a coal mining machine, which, in addition to the advantages of extreme iiexibility, is extremely compact. -Another object is to provide an improved bar swinging mechanism for a longwall coal mining machine, which is wholly independent of the machine feeding means. A further object is to provide a fluid operated bar swinging mechanism of a novel design and having a novel arrangement on the-mining machine with which it is associated. Yet another object is to provide an improved bar swinging mechanism which is arranged in a novel manner with respect to the cutter driving means of the coal mining machine. Afurther object is to provide an improved fluid operated bar swinging mechanism embodying a flat, generally fan-shaped cylinder containing an oscillatable bar swinging piston operatively connected to the cutter bar. Astill further object is to provide an improved oscillatory swinging motor for a mining machine cutter bar having the oscillatory swinging element thereof pivoted to turn about an axis alined with the bar pivot axis. Still another object is to provide a novel cutter bar-swingingmechanism of an extremely compact design which may be arranged within the lateral and longitudinal limits of a conventional coal mining machine. With the above and other objects in view, this invention relates to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in the ensuing specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coal mining machine in which an illustrative embodiment of the invention is incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the coal mining machine shown in Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic uid system.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention the improved bar swinging mechanism, generally designated I, is, for illustrative purposes, shown embodied in a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, longwall, floor cutter type. It will be evident, however, that the improved bar swinging mechanism may be incorporated in coal mining machines of various other types.

The coal mining machine disclosed herein is generally of a conventional design and includes a low compactl frame 2 having a plane bottom surface 3 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over a iioor of a coal mine. Pivotally mounted at 4 to swing about a vertical axis relative to the machine frame, is an elongated plane cutter bar 5 projecting horizontally near the oor level at one end of the mining machine, while arranged at the opposite end of the mining machine is a horizontal feed drum 6 on which a feed cable 'I is wound. Arranged on the machine frame in adjacency to the feed drum 6 are sets of guide sheaves 8, 8, and the feed cable is adapted to be extended in various directions about these guide sheaves in the manner well known to those skilled in the art. The cutter bar 5 may be swung horizontally about its pivot by the swinging mechanism I, from the centrally located, full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the right angle position indicated in dotted lines in that gure, and may be locked in such right angle position during the cutting operation. When the cutter bar is thusV disposed the feed cable 1 may be extended from the feed drum to a suitable anchor located near the coal face in advance of the coal mining machine, and as the cable is wound in by its drum the machine is advanced bodily over the mine floor to feed the cutter bar with respect to the coal. The cutter bar may also be swung about its pivot by the swinging mechanism I to effect sumping of the cutter bar beneath the coal. Guided for circulation about the margin of the cutter bar is an endless cutter chain I0 and this chain is driven by a motor I I mounted on the machine frame. The motor power shaft I2 has fixed thereto a clutch member I3 which is connectible by a sliding clutch member M to a clutch member I5, the latter being keyed to a horizontal shaft I8 alined with the motor power shaft. The shaft i6 is suitably journaled within the machine frame and has secured thereto and drives a bevel pinion Il meshing with a bevel gear I8 in turn secured to a vertical shaft I9 likewise suitably journaled within the machine frame. to and driven by the gear I8 is a spur gear 2E) meshing with a spur gear 2l, the latter having its hub 22 suitably journaled on bearings supported by a vertical shaft 23. The shaft 23 is arranged with its axis alined with the bar pivot axis 4 and is, at its opposite ends, rigidly secured within the machine frame. The gear hub 22 is connected by interlocking clutch teeth 24 tov the hub of a chain, sprocket 25 which engages and drivesthe cutter chain IIJ. This chain sprocket is suitably journaled on bearings supported by the vertical shaft 23. It will thus be seen that when the clutch I3, I4, I is connected, the cutter chain may be rapidly circulated by the motor about the margin of the cutter bar through the bevel gearing II, Iii and spur gearing and ZI, and when the clutch I3, Ill, I5 is disconnected the cutter chain may remain idle during running of the motor. v

Now referring tothe improved bar swinging mechanism I, it will be noted thatv formed within the machine frame in horizontal planes above the cutter bar is a fiat, vrelatively narrow cylinder 2l which is generally fan-shape iny horizontal section as shown in Fig. 4. Mounted for oscillatory movement within this flat cylinder is a vanelike piston 23 having its hub 29 surrounding a cylindric bearing portion rigidly attached to the machine frame. This oscillatory motor piston isswingable about an axis alined with the bar pivot axis @i and carries suitable packings 3l at its opposite sides for reducing leakage past the piston. The separable cylinder parts are also provided with suitable packing rings 32 further to reduce leakage, The bottom wall 33 of the cylinder is in the form of a detachable plate and is secured, as by screws 34, to the machine frame. This detachable plate 33 has a circular opening through which the bottom portion of the hub 29 of the oscillatory motor piston extends, and this piston hub is formed with an annular flange 35 detachably secured, as by screws 35, to the upper part 3i of a swivelled bar hanger frame 38 by which the cutter bar 5 is carried. The lower part 39 of the bar hanger frame is journaled on a bearing supported by a cylindric member 48 secured, as with screws lll to the bottom of the machine frame. As shown in Fig. 3, the chain sprocket 25 is arranged between the upper and lower parts 3l? and 39 of the bar hanger frame 38. The fluid system, as shown in Fig. 5, includes a storage tank suitably arranged within the machine frame and adapted to contain an operating uid medium, preferably a liquid such as oil. Arranged in this storage /tank is a conventional liquid pump 45 having its intakewsubmerged within the liquidV in the tank. The power shaft fi'i of this pump is operatively connected in a suitable manner to the motor II of the coal mining machine. Thepump discharge is connected by a pressure line d8 to passages 159 and 58 in a conventional valve box. 5I, the latter being suitably mounted'within the machine frame. This valve box has a discharge passage 52 connected by a return line 53 back to the tank. The passages Q9, 5i! and 52' communicate with a bore 5d which contains a slide valve 55 herein preferably of the balanced spool type. The valve Secured receiving bore 54 of the valve box is connected by fluid conducting lines 58 and 51 to passages 58 and 59 respectively. These passages are formed in the rear vertical wall of the motor cylinder 21 and communicate with recesses 6I and 62 respectively, the latter in turn communieating with the motor cylinder 21 at the opposite sides of the oscillatory motor piston 28. Under the control of the slide valve Ell, liquid under pressure may be supplied through one or the other of the lines 55, to the cylinder 21, while the other line is connected to the discharge line 53, and, as a result, the oscillatory piston 28 may be swung in one direction or the other about its pivot. When the slide valve 5A is shifted into the position shown in Fig. 5 the pressure line 48 is connected back to the tank 35 through a conventional by-pass valve 6,3, and, at this time, the liquid is trapped in the cylinder 21 at the opposite sides of the piston 28, thereby to hold the latter against movement. It is accordingly evident that under the control of the slide valve mechanism the cutter bar may be swung in one direction or l the other about its pivot and may be locked in its adjusted position.

It will be noted that by arranging the relatively flat motor cylinder 21 in horizontal planes above the cutter bar between the latter and the drive gear 2l, and by mounting the oscillatory motor fll piston 28 to swing about an axis coincident with the bar pivot axis with its hub surrounding the hub of the drive gear, an extremely compact structure results. It will further be evident that by arranging the oscillatory swinging motor in the particular manner disclosed, within the lateral and longitudinal limits of the coal mining machine, not only is the cutter bar swung in an improved manner but also the mechanism is rendered extremely compact. Other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this forni of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without de-v parting from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a mining machine, an elongated plane cutter bar mounted for swinging movement and having an endless cutter chain guided for circulation in an orbital path about its margin, the pivotal axis of the bar lying within the cutter chain orbit, and fluid operated mechanism for swinging said har about its pivot including relatively cscillatable motor cylinder and piston elements, one of which is mounted for oscillatory movement about an axis alined with the pivotal axis oi said cutter bar.

In a mining machine, an elongated plane cutter ber mounted for swinging movement and having an endless cutter chain guided for circulation in an orbital path about its margin, the

pivotal axis of the bar lying within the cutter stain orbit, and a fduid operated mechanism for swinging said cutter bar about its pivotal axis including a relatively narrow, at motor cylinder containing an oscillatory motor piston, said piston being swingable about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of said cutter bar and being oper- Y atively connected to the latter.

S. in a mining machine, an elongated plane cutter bar mounted for swinging movement and having an endless cutter chain guided for circulation in an orbital path about its margin, the pivotal axis of the bar lying within the cutter chain orbit, and hydraulically operated mechanism for swinging said cutter bar about its pivotal axis and for holding said cutter bar in its adjusted position, said mechanism including relatively oscillatable motor cylinder and piston elements, one of which is oscillatable about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of said cutter bar, and means for supplying liquid under pressure to said cylinder at the opposite sides of said piston and for discharging liquid therefrom.

Il. In a mining machine, a support, a cutter mounted on said support to swing relative thereto, driving means for said cutter including a driving element extending along the pivotal axis of said cutter and operatively connected to the latter, and fluid operated mechanism for swinging said cutter about its pivotal axis including an oscillatory motor element adapted to be subjected to the action of said iiuid under pressure and oscillatable about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of said cutter.

5. In a mining machine, a support, a cutter mounted on said support to swing relative thereto, driving means for said cutter including a driving element lextending along the pivotal axis of said cutter and operatively connected to the latter, and fluid operated mechanism for swinging said cutter about its pivotal axis including an oscillatory motor element adapted to be subjected to the action of said uid under pressure and oscillatable about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of said cutter, said oscillatory motor element having a hollow annular portion surrounding its axis of oscillation and through which said cutter driving element extends.

6. In a mining machine, a cutter bar mounted for swinging movement, fluid operated mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including relatively oscillatable motor cylinder and pston elements, one of which is mounted for oscillatory movement about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of said cutter bar, and cutter driving means including a cutter driving element extending along the pivotal axis of said cutter bar and operatively connected to the latter.

7. In a mining machine, a support, a cutter pivotally mounted on said support to swing relative thereto, cutter driving means including a cutter driving element, and fluid operated means for swinging said cutter about its pivotal axis including a relatively narrow, at motor cylinder arranged on said support between said cutter and said cutter driving element and a flat oscillatable motor piston contained in said cylinder and operatively connected to said cutter, said oscillatory motor piston being mounted to swing about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of said cutter.

8. In a mining machine, a support, a cutter pivotally mounted on said support to swing relative thereto, cutter driving means including a cutter driving element, and uid operated means for swinging said cutter about its pivotal axis including relatively oscillatable motor cylinder and piston elements arranged on said support between said cutter and said cutter driving element, one of said cylinder and piston elements being mounted to oscillate about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of said. cutter.

9. In combination, a frame, an elongated plane cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame to swing relative thereto and having an endless cutter chain guided for circulation in an orbital path about its margin, the pivotal axis of the bar lying within the cutter chain orbit, and means for swinging said bar about its pivot including a fluid operated bar swinging motor, said motor including a bar swinging motor element oscillatable about an axis coincident with the axis of bar swing and subjectable to the action of fluid under pressure.

l0. In combination, a frame, an elongated plane cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame to swing relative thereto and having an endless cutter chain guided for circulation in an orbital path about its margin, the pivotal axis of the bar lying within the cutter chain orbit, and means for swinging said bar about its pivot including a fluid operated bar swinging motor, said motor including a bar swinging motor element oscillatable about an axis coincident with the axis of bar swing and subjectable to the action of fluid under pressure, and manually operated valve means for controlling the fluid supply to said bar swinging motor and operable to trap the fluid at the opposite sides of said oscillatable element to hold said bar in adjusted position.

ll. In a mining machine, a support, an elongated plane cutter bar pivotally mounted on said support to swing relative thereto and having an endless cutter chain guided for circulation in an orbital path about its margin, the pivot of said bar lying within the cutter chain orbit, and iluid operated mechanism for swinging said cutter b-ar about its pivot and for holding said bar in its different positions of adjustment, including a relatively narrow, flat motor cylinder disposed in planes parallel and adjacent to the planes of said bar and spaced from and projecting outside the cutter chain orbit, said cylinder being mounted in a stationary position on said support and containing an oscillatory motor piston swingable with said bar about an axis alined with the bar pivot axis, and operative connections extending along the bar pivot within the cutter chain orbit for connecting said piston rigidly to said bar.

l2. In a mining machine, a support, an elongated plane cutter bar pivotally mounted on said support to swing relative thereto and having an endless cutter chain guided for circulation in an orbital path about its margin, the pivot of said bar lying within the cutter chain orbit, uid operated mechanism for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot and for holding said bar in its different positions of adjustment, including a relatively narrow, iiat motor cylinder disposed in planes parallel and adjacent to the planes of said bar and spaced from and projecting outside the cutter chain orbit, said cylinder being mounted in a stationary position on said support and containing an oscillatory motor piston swingable with said bar about an axis alined with the bar pivot axis, operative connections extending along the bar pivot within the cutter chain orbit for connecting said piston rigidly to said bar, and motor operated driving means for said cutter chain including driving connections extending along the bar pivot axis through an element of said operative connections and within the cutter chain orbit.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD. 

